The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
CowED THE HENDERsoN GANG.
An Incident in the Life of a Tavern Keeper
in an Ohio River Town.

From the New York Sun.
Speaking about nerve" said Brooks as he
sat at table in tie Office OF the Commercial Travel
ers' association, 'the bravest man l ever met was
one Prescott, OF Evansville Ind. He was daisy.
often stayed at his place-a sort of tavern saloon,
billiard room and dance hall combined 1t was like
this: There was q bit of property which had been
idle for years. Allsors Of men had tried to run it.
but they had to get out. They lacked the required
nerve The bloods would cross over from Hender-
son, Ky, and make it disagreeable for the landlord
They would play his billiards ard drink his whisky
and then when asked forpay would set in and clean
his shop out Finally this man Prescott heard of
this property ftr sale, found the price low and SO
bought it in. But don't suppose he knew just what
allied the property, for he was from New Hampshire.
Il Just wish you could have seen the cuss! Why
he didn't lool big enough to whip a cat He was
one of those Slim JIns with sandy hair and weak
legs sallow-faced, light, watery bue-eyed fellow
was travelling through there at that time, and
happened along b week or SO after Prescott got
started. He had fixed the place up in style drove
up at dusk put out my team for the night, and,
after drink, prepared to so out for the evening.
noticed ten strapping young bloods in the billiard
room. They were dressed well, and had gold
watches with long chains. There didn't seem to be
any thing the matter with ,thern, and left them
playing billiards and smoEt itr now AMI
then a call on the bar. When got back TO the
tavern after while, the same crowd was there,
and there didn't seem to be anything the matter
with them then. But Prescott said to me, q was
Vermonter, and he aud l eltsomewhat acquainted):
" I'm afraid these boys will give me trouble
''WhyY
"'Wel, this is atHen6ecson gang that I've heard
so much of. They're all rich IL is sons, and think
they can run things Their game is to get all they
can and pay nothing or it, But they will have 10
ray me for What they get before they get out Of
herei'
e said it all as quiet as If he La lust remarked
tlOnpbt in nvffo ali
near the stove, where could see the young bloods
in the billiard room. l declare they seemed to be
very decent young m Il. They had been to the bar
retty often, and they we're q trife lively in their
play, and maybe BIT loud in their conversation,
but that was all, and why PresC was afra. d of
trouble couldn't for the life of me make out,
"But pretty soon they began to show their band
First two Of them took good stiff drink and a
cigar apiece and then ie ked their thumbs over
their shoulders as they moved toward the door.
"'The other fellers'll make this all right
Prescott said Very WELL and then he bowed
them out like prince Of the royal line Then a
couple more took big drink and the best cigars
and out they went
The other boys in tharll settle the scorer
"iThare were now half dozen big ones left in
side. Pretty soon they came out, too. They ranged
along the bar, filled two three times around, and
then started for the door.
"'Stopn
"They paused, then looked around mildly re-
proachful at Prescott, who stood behind the ba1
One of the party said
"'Well! what dye want?
prescott, with his thin, white face, showing no
more emotion than brass kettle, remarked:
"Gentlemen, you've forgotten something. Please
to pay for what you've had
"'Wall-we'ye got no money. Pay yer some
ether time
"Then something happened. The little white
livered cuss of Prescott sprang over the bar like
cat his long, white apron flying between his legs:
and before the Kentuckians comprchended what
was to happen he had his back against the door
and the SIX toushs covered with two big horse
pistols. His face was as white chalk, but tell
you his blue eyes blazed. In instant after recov-
ering from their SURPRISE the gang reached for their
guns. But Prescott had them too well covered
He said:
THE man that attempts TO draw his shooter gets
q hole through him as big as a barrel Not a man
shall leave this room till I've had what's due me-
1T lo5ked very nlu.h like blood there for about
minute, but Prescoh's blazing eyes and his ugly
looking guns took the starch out OF the tougs and
pretty soon they tried to stink out Of range One of
them said:
I've left our money home. Let us out and wen
fetch it to yee.'
" 'No-you-don't'
"This was Prescots determined answer. Indicat-
ing one Of the party with pistol, he said:
You put your watch ON the cigar case
"He did as directed 1t was a gold repeater
"The big horse pistols were lowered
Now, gentlemen, come up and have something
on me-
q Prescott said this with oil the suavity imagina
bic, as he resumed his place behind the bar. and
pretty soon the Kentuckians were lifting in liquor
as naturally as If nothing unusual had occurred
money? Why, that ng was full Of 1t. They
stood up and called for round after round and paid
for it, and refused to take any change OF course
after awhile tLey got tired and wanted to lean up
against the furniture while one ofthem insisted on
kissing the bartender Finally they went off loaded
right 10 the nuzzle, but perfectly good uatured.
They took the gold watch along, Of course But
they left about hundred dollars Of good Kentucky
money in tue place oft.
"a year later / Stopped at Presc1tt's again.
"'Weli, Prescott, have the Henderson boys cleaned
you ont yetH
" 'Not yet
"iie smiled The most profitable customers h
had were those Wild henderson logs They knew
nerve VIXEN they saw H. and they liked IT,"
--r.-------
TH-Bis: IT'S an 81 Wild that blows nobody
good, said tho Thanksgiving turkey, as cyclone
whLied him from under the farmers uglIdel.
4 ge''''si Yi7yrTrr1- 81 rS'lh'y.
Sp1a-f-2 Tu08. The Indians have taken IN
smoking Cigarettes. NOW let them stand around
king {. e heads o. the.r canes and the problem
O! tLclr civilization Is sO.geh